Deansville Wildlife Area
A portion of the Deansville Wildlife Area will be closed this fall for the construction of wetland restoration projects. The projects will help improve local wetland/waterfowl habitats and restore more natural hydrology to these properties.
Please be advised that public access (including pheasant stocking and hunting) is restricted to the areas that remain open. For more information on the closure, please see signage on the property or contact the property manager for the latest updates.
Property Manager: Julie Widholm, Julie.Widholm@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0866
Deansville Wildlife Area is a 1,970-acre property consisting of upland grassland/agricultural land, mixed hardwood upland forest, open marshland and sedge meadow and shrub carr and brushy areas.
Deansville Wildlife Area is located approximately 4 miles northeast of Sun Prairie. From Sun Prairie, head east on State Hwy. 19, about 6 miles to County Hwy. TT. Head north on TT for about 2 miles, and then turn left onto Deansville Road. Head north on Deansville Road for 2 miles to Sun Prairie Rd. Turn left and head west on Sun Prairie Rd. for 1 1/2 miles to the wildlife area.
The Deansville Marsh was initially leased for hunting in the early 1930s by the Dane County Conservation League in the early 1930s. In 1938, the leases were turned over to the state, making the Deansville property Wisconsin's first leased Public Hunting Ground. Today, the property is 1,970 acres of DNR-owned land. The Maunasha River bisects the property, as do many interior ditches, making access to the south side of the property challenging.
Management Objectives
Today, prescribed burning and chemical and mechanical brush control are used on the property to maintain open grasslands and wetlands. Leased farmland and haying are also done on the property to help maintain open landscapes. Wetland restorations to help hydrology to the property are planned for the near future.
Visit the property planning page for more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
The Deansville Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Class two dog training area*
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting (especially noted for pheasants, deer, waterfowl, turkey and small game)
- Trapping
- Wildlife viewing
*Note: Dogs must be leashed from April 15 to July 31.
Amenities
- Bathroom – none.
- Parking lot – yes, there are four parking lots.
- Campground and size – none.
- Trails, types and lengths – no maintained trails, some seasonally mowed access lanes on the north side.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you want to explore this property further, you can access an interactive map.
